Spain criticises some EU nations’ “selfish” reaction to migrant crossings at Ceuta

Spain has denounced several EU nations’ “selfish, polarising, and unlawful” response to the roughly 60,000 migrants who arrived in Ceuta from Morocco. Nearly everyone who arrived at the enclave on July 30 has returned, according to officials, and Spain’s Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated on Saturday that the death toll had increased to at least 67.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the events as “shocking” after Italy temporarily halted the EU’s borderless Schengen agreement with Spain. While Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babň called for a temporary suspension of Spain’s Schengen membership, Finland and Denmark supported Italy’s action. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed “serious concerns” about several European states in a letter to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.

In less than 48 hours, he claimed, the Spanish government had completely reclaimed control over the border and stopped any “unauthorised onwards movement towards continental Europe.” Sanchez stated that other European governments had decided to target Spain, “driven by prejudice, fake news, ignorance, or political interest,” even though the majority had demonstrated “support and solidarity.” He also noted that Ceuta was not a part of the Schengen area.

In order to “reaffirm that the security of our external borders is a shared responsibility of all Member States,” the Spanish leader demanded an immediate meeting with EU interior ministers. Citing “serious concerns” about the events in Ceuta, 22 of the EU’s 27 member states also demanded emergency negotiations in an open letter.

The nations “welcome that Spain and Morocco are cooperating closely to ensure the swift return of migrants”, but said a video conference of EU interior ministers would help reach agreement on mobilising EU instruments and support for Spain to restore “effective control” of the border and prevent further uncontrolled crossings. Also on Saturday, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he had spoken to Sánchez and the UK was “providing what help we can”.

Ceuta is the only land border between the European Union and Africa, along with Melilla. Swimming many km allows migrants to enter the enclave. Spain has a comparatively welcoming immigration policy. Plans to provide 500,000 undocumented migrants legal status and enable their official integration into the workforce were authorised by the government in April. The right-wing Italian prime minister had previously denounced Sánchez at the time, claiming that the program would “affect its neighbours.” The European Parliament passed stricter immigration regulations in June, giving authorities more authority to deport undocumented immigrants.